Many armed forces veterans do not want to see an amnesty from justice introduced in Northern Ireland, their commissioner has said.
A “middle way” should be found between their needs and the demands of others who seek answers about deaths of loved ones, Danny Kinahan said.
He added the Government should be held to its promise to behave in a fair, balanced and proportionate fashion.
“They were out there protecting all of us and many of them have given not just their lives but their whole way of life is now completely changed by having worked within security and the awful things that happened to them in the past.”
An independent legal adviser is needed to stand up for ex-soldiers in court proceedings involving the Northern Ireland conflict, the Veterans Commissioner has said.
People who took huge risks for peace should not become political footballs during investigations into past violence, Danny Kinahan added.
State forces were responsible for a tenth of deaths during 30 years of bloodshed but a greater percentage of prosecutions involve the security services, he said.
Danny Kinahan (Philip Toscano/PA)
Mr Kinahan said: “If there is an area that is missing it is probably having legal advice and being able to stand up for veterans with more of a legal power.
An independent legal adviser is needed to stand up for ex-soldiers in court proceedings involving the Northern Ireland conflict, the Veterans Commissioner has said.
People who took huge risks for peace should not become political footballs during investigations into past violence, Danny Kinahan added.
State forces were responsible for a tenth of deaths during 30 years of bloodshed but a greater percentage of prosecutions involve the security services, he said.
Danny Kinahan (Philip Toscano/PA)
Mr Kinahan said: “If there is an area that is missing it is probably having legal advice and being able to stand up for veterans with more of a legal power.